Radiation Therapist - Radiation Oncology

Job Category: Cancer Services

Requisition Number: RADIA
001318

• Full-Time
• On-site

Showing 1 location

Carroll, IA 51401, USA

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Interprets physician orders, prescriptions and instructions for the precise delivery of radiation therapy. Verifies accuracy of written documentation of prescription/orders with Radiation Oncologist(s). Communicates/notes clarifications to/for other pertinent staff members.
• Educates patient regarding type of care/service and the methodology or procedure for the delivery of that care/service. Evaluates patient understanding and comprehension of teaching, documents education in patients' medical records, and communicates further educational needs with Radiation RNs and MDs. Informs nursing staff or Radiation Oncologist(s) if the patient has unanswered questions or concerns. Check for patient signed informed consent. Reinforces patient teaching throughout the course of treatment.
• Simulates/localizes target/tumor volume by positioning, immobilizing, filming, and marking the patient according to physician orders and physics recommendations. Documents simulation/set-up parameters and instructions accurately and completely. Reproduces simulations/tumor localization set-up for treatment planning C.T. scans, physics contours and portal verification on first day of treatment.
• Constructs Immobilization devices (e.g. aquaplast masks, and vac locks) and customized beam inhibitors (e.g. cerrobend blocks, boluses and compensators) according to the Radiation Oncologist(s) design. Verifies accuracy of device construction and viable safety of device for a patient and staff.
• Performs chart checks and documents any calculations or treatment planning parameters produced. Ensures calculations and isodose plans have been double checked by physics and where applicable signed Radiation Oncologist(s). Amends or corrects any documentation of calculation or isodose plans that have changed.
• Precisely delivers radiation therapy utilizing a variety of external beam modalities i.e. linear accelerated multiple photon energies, multiple electron energies as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist(s) and calculated/verified by the Medical Physicist or Medical Dosimetrist. Uses the correct boluses and electron blocks as instructed on treatment plan. Maintains patients’ marks. Monitors patient visually and audibly during treatment delivery. Documents for treatment delivery accurately and completely in the EMR.
• Verifies/ensures ongoing accuracy of positioning and blocking of treatment portals by producing images per physician orders. Outlines and/or tattoos treatment fields on the patient’s skin. Documents completion of films, pictures, diagrams, marks, and tattoos in patient’s medical records and labels accordingly.
• Assesses patient’s physical and emotional well-being throughout the course of care and treatment. Evaluates integrity of skin and tissue within treatment area. Assesses any changes in patient’s stance, gait, mental status, and pain level. Communicates evaluations to nursing staff and the Radiation Oncologist(s) and documents all observations or findings. Supports coordination of consultations for nutritional, social, spiritual, evaluation and counseling and for the diagnostic examinations such as x-rays or lab studies.
• Initiates daily warm-up procedures for the Linear Accelerator(s) and/or simulator and performs daily constancy checks for quality control. Verifies accuracy of laser lights, radiation exposure alarm on console, door interlocks and emergency off switch. Takes temperature and barometric pressure readings and calculates correction factors. Documents quality control review and reports any…